Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates for Week 6

August 24, 2020

Dr. Reuven's (@mlbinjuryguru) fantasy baseball injury updates for Week 6. His medical background helps analyze the injured MLB players and their recoveries.

Injuries are commonplace in all sports. Baseball has seen the rate of injury continue to rise over the past few years. In fantasy, if someone is not in the medical field, it is hard to gauge how long a player will be out and whether they need to be replaced in a lineup. Sometimes this could mean playing a dead roster spot and losing the opportunity to have a full week of stats. Watching a play and watching the mechanism of injury can say a lot about the type of injury that has been sustained. The mechanism of injury is one of the ways of diagnosing the problem.

My name is Reuven Guy. I grew up playing baseball, watching baseball and wanting to go into medicine. I was able to combine both of my loves. I am a practicing physician assistant in the state of New York in the fields of orthopedics and physical medicine/pain management. I have been treating patients with the same type of injuries that have been affecting athletes in a private practice setting for the past 15 years. Having this base of knowledge, it is easier to “predict” what the injury could be and how long a player will be out.

During the course of the season in this weekly article, I will be going over MLB player injuries. I will be hunting down the latest updates and have sources to back me up. I will be highlighting the type of injury it is, try to diagnose an injury that has not been diagnosed yet, discuss the extent of injury, and how long the player will be out. I will also be listing the “next man up” when it comes to playing time if the player will be out. This year, I will also have a listing of all fantasy-relevant players affected by COVID-19 and COVID-19 protocols. Hopefully, this will help you create and manage a more competitive fantasy lineup.

Injury "Guy"de for the Week of August 23, 2020

Rodon, Carlos (SP, CHW) - Shoulder - Rodon has been dealing with left shoulder soreness and was placed on the IL. Rodon's velocity dropped below 90. Rodon threw a side session this week with no issues. At this point, his earliest return is the end of August.

Andrelton Simmons (SS, LAA) - Ankle - Simmons was placed on the IL with a left ankle sprain which he sustained trying to beat out a ground ball. He recently had some “live at bats” and Manager Joe Maddon said he is “a lot closer” and was activated off of the IL August 21.

Charlie Morton (SP, TB) - Shoulder- Morton was placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation. Morton played catch and is scheduled to throw another bullpen session. There is a possibility of the Rays activating next week as he was ruled out for this weekend.

Reynaldo Lopez (SP, CHW) - Shoulder - Lopez was placed on the IL with a sore right shoulder. His MRI revealed inflammation only. Lopez was activated off of the IL on August 22.

Nick Madrigal (2B, CHW) - Shoulder - Madrigal was diagnosed with a separated left shoulder and was placed on the IL. The typical healing time of a separated shoulder can range from two to twelve weeks based on severity. Madrigal has resumed baseball activities and is on track to return by the end of the month.

Madison Bumgarner (SP, ARI) - Back - Bumgarner was placed on the IL with a mid-back strain. He threw a successful bullpen session and now has a sim game scheduled for this weekend. Bumgarner may still be more than a week away from a return.

Aaron Judge (Of, NYY) - Lower Body - Judge is currently on the IL with a lower-body injury. Manager Aaron Boone said he will back for the next game the Yankees play.

Brendan McKay (SP/DH, TB) - Shoulder - McKay is dealing with shoulder irritation and is going forward with shoulder surgery and is done for the year. The Rays expect him to be ready by Spring Training 2021.

Ozzie Albies (2B, ATL) -Wrist- Albies was placed on the IL with wrist soreness/bone contusion. Albies was shut down for a week to see if it heals. Albies was able to do some hitting this past week but there is still no timetable for his return.

Josh Donaldson (3B, MIN) - Calf- Donaldson was placed on the IL due to a right calf injury. Donaldson missed three months with a calf injury in 2018 and missed a few games in 2019 due to a calf injury. Donaldson took grounders at 3rd base before batting practice this week and was scheduled to do some running. Marwin Gonzalez will continue to see an uptick in playing time while Donaldson is out.

Francisco Mejia (C, SD)- Thumb- Mejia was placed on the IL with a left thumb contusion. No word on severity yet. Austin Hedges should handle the majority of the duties behind the plate while Mejia is sidelined for the Padres.

Tommy Pham (OF, SD)- Wrist- Pham was placed on the IL with a fractured hamate bone on his right hand/wrist. He is expected to miss four to six weeks and may end up requiring surgery. There is an outside possibility that he could return by the end of the year. Ty France was called up and Jurickson Profar, Edward Olivares and Jorge Mateo could fill in.

Yordan Alvarez (DH, HOU)- Knee- Alvarez was dealing with a knee issue since the summer camp. Alvarez will have season ending surgery for a partial patella tendon repair. Recovery time for surgery to repair a full tear is about six months. Recovery time for a partial tear is about four to six months.

Jose Iglesias (SS, BAL)- Quad- Iglesias was placed on the IL with a left quad stain, retroactive to August 16. No word on severity yet. Pat Valaika could fill in at SS for the Orioles.

Nate Pearson (SP, TOR)- Elbow- The Blue Jays placed Pearson on the IL with right elbow tightness. An MRI was scheduled to be performed August 20. Trent Thronton was be activated off of the IL to pitch in his spot in the rotation.

Starlin Castro (2B, WAS)- Wrist- Castro will have surgery to repair his broken right wrist. He is done for the regular season but could possibly come back for a playoff run. Luis Garcia will continue to fill in at second base for the Nationals.

Salvador Perez (C, KC) - Eye- Perez was placed on the IL with blurry vision in his left eye. He remains day to day as the Royals and Perez try to figure out the cause. Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria should split time in his absence.

David Peterson (SP, NYM) - Shoulder- Peterson was placed on the IL with left shoulder fatigue. MRI of the shoulder showed inflammation only, no structural damage. There is no timetable for his return yet. Corey Oswalt took his start and may fill in until Peterson comes back.

Kris Bryant (3B, CHC) - Wrist- Bryant was placed on the IL today with a sprained left ring finger and a sore left wrist, retroactive to Aug. 19. Bryant received an injection to his left wrist on August 18 and the injury may be worse than first thought, thus the placement on the IL. Exact diagnosis of injury is not yet known.

Howie Kendrick (1B/2B, WAS) - Hamstring- Kendrick has been sidelined this whole past week due a hamstring injury. Manager Dave Martinez said that if he is not back by this weekend, they will consider putting Kendrick on the IL. Kendrick was able to play on Saturday but this is still an issue to be monitored.

Michael Wacha (SP, NYM) - Shoulder- Wacha is on the IL with shoulder inflammation. Wacha threw a 4 inning sim game this week as he is trying to come back from shoulder inflammation.

David Dahl- (OF, COL) - Back- Dahl was placed on the IL with lower-back soreness. There is no word on severity yet. Sam Hilliard could benefit with more playing time in the Rockies outfield. Brendan Rogers was called up in a corresponding move.

Yonny Chirinos (SP, TB) - Elbow- Chirinos was placed on the IL with a right elbow strain. He was just activated from the IL this past Sunday, coming back from triceps inflammation. Tommy John surgery was recommended. Jalen Beeks or Anthony Banda are options to start/open for the Rays.

Bo Bichette (SS, TOR) - Knee- Bichette is on the IL with a grade 1 sprain of the LCL (lateral collateral ligament of the right knee. General manager Ross Atkins said Thursday that he is "extremely optimistic" that Bichette will contribute again this season.

Ken Giles (RP, TOR) - Forearm- Giles is currently on the IL with a mild strain of the flexor mass in his right forearm. He received an injection a few weeks ago. The Blue Jays are "extremely encouraged" by Ken Giles' progress. Giles now throwing up to 120 feet.

Willie Calhoun (OF, TEX) - Hamstring- Calhoun was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain after injuring it in the 10th inning of a game this past week. Severity is not yet known. Danny Santana may benefit in more at bats with Calhoun out for a bit.

Zack Britton (RP, NYY) - Hamstring- Britton was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Severity is not yet known. Aroldis Chapman has returned for the Yankees and will assume the closer's role in full.

Alex Bregman (3B, HOU) - Hamstring- The Astros placed Bregman on the IL with a strained right hamstring. He is going back to Houston for an MRI. Abraham Toro, Jack Mayfield and Yuli Gurriel could fill in at 3B while he is out.

Byron Buxton (OF, MIN) - Shoulder- Buxton was placed on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. Severity is not yet known. Ildemaro Vargas and Jake Cave should see more time in the Twins outfield.

Mitch Garver (C, MIN) - Intercostal- Garver was placed on the IL with an intercostal strain. Severity is not yet known. Alex Avila and Ryan Jeffers should split time while Garver is out.

Corey Knebel (RP, MIL) - Hamstring- Knebel was placed on the IL with a strained left hamstring. Severity is not yet known.

James Paxton (SP, NYY) - Forearm- Paxton had discomfort in his forearm/elbow while pitching on Thursday and was placed on the IL with a left forearm strain. No timetable for his return. His MRI did not show any structural damage and he was told that he does not require Tommy John surgery. He will be shut down from throwing for two to three weeks.

Drew Pomeranz (RP, SD) - Shoulder- Pomeranz is dealing with shoulder tightness and is considered day-to-day according to manager Jayce Tingler. Pomeranz was placed on the IL over the weekend. Emilio Pagan will serve as closer with Pomeranz is out.

Elvis Andrus (SS, TEX) - Back- Andrus was placed on the IL with a lower-back strain. He had missed four straight games but appeared in one game as a defensive replacement. Yadiel Rivera was called up and Isiah Kiner-Falefa will see more playing time at shortstop and Todd Frazier at third base.

Ronald Acuna (OF, ATL) - Wrist- Acuna is on the IL with a sore wrist. He is scheduled to resume swinging a bat this weekend. There is still no definite timetable for his return.

Will Smith (C, LAD) - Back- Smith was placed on the IL with a lower back strain but is expected to return on August 23rd.

Gleyber Torres (SS, NYY) - Hamstring- Torres was placed on the IL with a mild left hamstring and left quad strain. MRI showed mild strains only. It was reported that he will be out two to three weeks. Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada should fill in.

Jay Bruce (OF, PHI) - Quad- Bruce was placed on the IL with a quadriceps injury. This issue has been a lingering issue for him this season. No word on severity yet. Adam Haseley was activated off of the IL for the Phillies.

Dylan Moore (OF, SEA) - Wrist- Moore was placed on the IL with a right wrist sprain, retroactive to Aug. 21. No word on severity yet. Jake Fraley was called up and Braden Bishop could see more time in the Mariners outfield.

Austin Slater (OF, SF) - Groin- Slater was placed on the IL with a mild left groin strain. He left Friday's game early with this injury. No word on severity yet.

Jake Odorizzi (P, MIN) - Abdomen- Odorizzi was placed on the IL after he was hit in the chest with a line drive on Friday. It is unclear how much time he will miss as of yet. Sean Poppen was called up.

Homer Bailey (P, MIN) - Biceps- Bailey was transferred to the 45-day IL. Bailey is dealing with biceps tendonitis but has recently resumed throwing. His earliest eligible return date is September 13.and Daniel Coulombe was called up.

Keone Kela (P, PIT) - Forearm- Kela will be shut down for a few days and will be reevaluated early next week. As of now, he was not placed on the IL. Richard Rodriguez could fill in as closer for the Pirates.

Stephen Strasburg (P, WAS) - Strasburg was transferred to the #Nationals 60-day IL effectively ending his 2020 season. He has been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. If carpal tunnel syndrome does not resolve with injections, bracing and NSAIDs, surgery is usually the next option.

Josh James (P, HOU) - Hip- James was placed on the IL with left hip discomfort. He injured his hip while fielding a grounder, and will require at least 10 days to recover. Severity of the injury is not yet known. Michael Brantley was activated off the IL for the Astros.

Updated List of Fantasy-Relevant Players Affected by COVID-19

Please note: Although a player may have returned, they may not be up to game speed yet and may still be on the IL or not ready to play. Multiple players from the Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Mets have tested positive however the full list of affected players is not known. Also please note that the COVID IL can range from a few days to weeks and symptomatic players with negative COVID testing will miss fewer games.

Alcantara, Sandy (SP, MIA)- Returning
Alvarez, Yordan (DH, HOU)- Returned
Astudillo, Willians (C, MIN)- Returned
Beer, Seth (1B, ARI) - Returned
Bethancourt, Christian (RP, PHI)
Blackmon, Charlie (OF, COL) - Returned
Brito, Socrates (OF, PIT)- Returned
Brinson, Lewis (OF, MIA)- Returned
Cabrera, Genesis (RP, STL)- Returned
Calhoun, Kole (OF, ARI) - Returned
Cano, Robinson (1B/2B, NYM) - Returned
Chapman, Aroldis (RP, NYY)- Returned
Cessa, Luis (RP, NYY)- Returned
Chirinos, Yonny (SP/RP, TB)- Returned
d’Arnuad, Travis (C, ATL)- Returned
Davidson, Matt- (DH, CIN)- Returned
deJong, Paul (SS, STL)- Returning
DeShields, Delino (OF, CLE)- Returned
Diaz, Elias (C, COL)- Returned
Dietrich, Derek (1B/OF, CHC)- Returned
Dozier, Hunter (3B/OF, KC)- Returned
Drury, Brandon (3B, TOR)- Returned
Elias, Roenis (RP, SEA)- Returned
Engel, Adam- (OF, CHW)- Returned
Flowers, Tyler (C, ATL)- Returned
Freeman, Freddie (1B, ATL) - Returned
Garica, Jarlin (RP, SF)- Returned
Glasnow, Tyler (SP, TB) - Returned
Gomber, Austin (P, STL)- Returning
Grichuk, Randal (OF, TOR)- Returned
Guerra, Junior (RP, ARI) - Returned
Hamilton, Billy (OF, SF)- Returned
Haseley, Adam (OF, PHI) - Returned
Hayes, Ke'Bryan (3B, PIT)- Returned
Hernandez, Darwinzon (RP, BOS) - Returned
Hirano, Yoshii (RP, SEA)- Returned
Hunter, Tommy (RP, PHI)- Returned
Jansen, Kenley (RP, LAD) - Returned
Joyce, Matt (OF, MIA)- Returned
Kela, Keone (RP, PIT)- Returned
Keller, Brad (SP, KC)- Returned
Kendrick, Howie (1B/2B/3B/OF, WAS) - Returned
Kingery, Scott (2B/3B/SS/OF, PHI) - Returned
Lauer, Eric (SP, MIL)- Returned
LeMahieu, DJ (1B/2B, NYY) - Returned
Luzardo, Jesus (SP, OAK) - Returned
McKay, Brendan (SP, TB)- Returned
Mahtook, Mikie (OF, DET)- Returned
Margot, Manuel (OF, TB)- Returned
Martinez, Carlos (SP/RP, STL)- Returning
Mateo, Jorge (SS, SD)- Returned
Mazara, Nomar- (OF, CHW)- Returned
Meadows, Austin (OF, TB)- Returned
Moncada, Yoan (3B, CHW) - Returned
Molina, Yadier (C, STL)- Returning
Neris, Hector (RP, PHI)- Returned
Nola, Aaron (SP, PHI) - Returned
Norris, Daniel (SP, DET)- Returned
O'Hearn, Ryan (1B, KC)- Returned
Perez, Salvador (C, KC)- Returned
Pham, Tommy (OF, SD) - Returned
Quinn, Roman (OF, PHI)- Returned
Robles, Victor (OF, WAS)- Returned
Rodriguez, Eduardo (SP, BOS)- Returned but out for the year with COVID complications.
Rojas, Miguel (SS, MIA)- Returned
Ruiz, Keibert- (C, LAD)- Returned
Sano, Miguel (1B/3B, MIN) - Returned
Senzel, Nick- (2B, CIN)
Smith, Caleb (SP, MIA)
Smith, Will (RP, ATL)- Returning
Soto, Juan (OF, WAS)- Returned
Suero, Wander (RP, WAS)- Returned
Teheran, Julio (SP, LAA)- Returned
Toussaint, Touki (SP/RP, ATL)- Returned
Urena, Jose (SP, MIA)
Urias, Luis (2B/SS, MIL)- Returned
Urquidy, Jose (SP, HOU)- Returning
Willams, Trevor- (SP, PIT)

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